Milan-San Remo: Boasson Hagen’s race?

Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen has put himself alongside the top favourites to win Milan-San Remo on Saturday (March 20). Today, he won the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico in a bunch sprint, but, attention, he can also win from an attacking group.

“I feel better in a break, but if you can work with the team and get a good lead out then that is a good feeling,” said Boasson Hagen. “Both ways are great, but we will have to see on race day.”

‘Eddy’ Boasson Hagen rode the Sky train to victory today. The British ProTour team took charge of the race in the final kilometres, a practice run for San Remo in four day’s time. He beat Alessandro Petacchi, winner of the 2005 Milan-San Remo, Tyler Farrar and Robbie McEwen. But, is he a pure sprinter?

“A little bit of everything,” said Sports Director Scott Sunderland. “I don’t think we should try to tag him yet, just let him be a good bike rider. If we have them [our rivals] on the back foot, thinking about what our tactics will be, then it is to our advantage.”

“Edvald can do anything,” team-mate Chris Sutton added. “Uphill sprint finish, Edvald can do it; big bunch sprint, you deliver him as best as you can and he won’t let you down. For sure, Edvald can win a Grand Tour one day. He is young, but he has so much class and he is going to go a long way.”

Sutton guided Boasson Hagen into the final metres today.Sky took charge with Juan Antonio Flecha, then Ian Stannard, then Mathew Hayman and then Australia Sutton. Was this train, which will only get stronger for San Remo with Greg Henderson, a practice run?

“Yes,” said Sutton. “Practice makes perfect. As we say, ‘You keep knocking on the door and it is going to open.'”

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